Sterling Salaries
Someone on the MM writing staff sees something revealing about salaries … we’re slowly learning what everyone makes at S-C.
Sometimes it’s overt, like in “The Benefactor,” (Ken & Harry) and sometimes it’s mentioned in passing, such as Don asking Peggy her salary before he gave her a raise. We also know that Pete makes $75/week, Don makes $45,000/year (and received a $2,500 bonus). Ken also received about $100 for being published in the Atlantic Monthly.
I smell a theme - and a CPI adjustment calculator.
I think the reason for doing this is to add to the the environment in which we’re immersed on the show. If we know that Pete makes $75/week, it immediatly highlights his anxiety about big expenses like his apartment, etc. If we know that Peggy makes $35/week, we appreciate her ambition and understand the depth of the sacrifice she makes in giving up her baby.
On another level, it underscores the hierarchy in the office in ways that would be difficult using other plot devices. The negotiation scene with Roger and Harry was so fascinating not because we knew more than the characters (in this case, Harry knew as much as we did). But what was interesting was that he accepted Roger’s bullshit about no one making $300/week. He was just interested in the title and a 12.5% raise - I guess because he knew that would be enough to make Jenny happy?
We don’t know what Joan makes yet … or Salvatore or Duck. I’m sure there’s a few more pay stubs to be revealed …
August 16th, 2008 at 6:00 am
We know that Salvatore was not happy to hear about Ken’s $300.
Which doesn’t mean he makes much less than that, but after all, he runs a department.
August 16th, 2008 at 8:03 am
I think negotiating was really painful for Harry, and he just wanted it to be over. Not getting as much as he wanted was a small price to pay for having it END.
August 16th, 2008 at 8:19 am
I agree with you Deb. Roger was just playing with Harry because he knew how nervous he was. I wonder if Roger had an idea that Harry DID know that other people did make $300 or more, but he knew he could fool him just by making him nervous in front of the big boss.
I loved that scene. When Roger said no one makes more than that and Harry just took it, I almost yelled “WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!”
But hopefully he’ll excel in the TV Department.
August 16th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Ooh, you guys, just inspired this week’s blog entry. Do you mind? I was really stuck yesterday.
August 16th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Hi there! My first comment…
When I was re-watching season one I noticed one thing. In the last episode, Duck and Don have their first meeting with the boys and Don says that how many accounts they sign will decide how much they make. I was thinking that Ken Cosgrove and Peter Campbell probably made about the same in 1960, and then that would mean that Ken’s really good at finding new accounts…
August 16th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Good morning fellow Basketcases!
I’d like to see more of Ken’s life. Viewers know he comes from a working-class background, attended Columbia and had short story published. But what makes him tick? Of all the Fellas, he exudes the most confidence. His handling of the Utz fiasco is case in point. He also appears to be a hard worker, with good instincts. JMO, if he felt he deserved a raise, he’d go in, guns blazing and come out with the pay increase he wanted! No feet-shuffling for Ken Cosgrove!
August 16th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Agnieszka, welcome. And you remind me that we have no idea what Pete is making now.
August 16th, 2008 at 9:51 am
[...] ← Sterling Salaries [...]
August 16th, 2008 at 9:55 am
He blames Rumsen out loud for the Utz situation. I thought that was poor team work. I would like to see where he lives. He is one of the major female harassers (remember Peggy’s first day in the elevator). I wonder what he would do if he found someone made more than him.
I did notice his hair is less greasy (brylcreamed) this season, and a little longer. Fashion will be interesting as it changes with the years.
I would like to see him get somekind of problem. He seems to be a golden boy. Maybe have him fall hard for a woman, something like that.
Okay, I know this is not in the thread. But you know Salvatore’s situation? I would love to have a discussion about what each other player’s reaction would be if they were to discover it. Who would keep silent and true to Salvatore? I mean I know he is in denial, but it would be nice if Matt would give him a little play. Maybe have a new hire, who is a gorgeous young stud tempt Salvatore or even just get him a little obsessed. Lipps Sisters can we start a discussion of something like this? it is gonna be a slow weekend for me at work and I love our convos.
Also maybe a thread on Dream castings. What famous people could we bring to the agency, a real person from history and who could play them. Also what actor could cameo. I think the model Dita Von Tease would be a great stunt cast as a person on the show. She already dresses the part.
One more item. The first James Bond movie, “Dr. No” was in 1962. Wouldn’t it be great if one of the characters loved it and tried to emulate him. I could picture Cosgrove doing that, since Paul is already doing Orson Welles.
August 16th, 2008 at 9:56 am
I sure hope Pete got a better pay. Imagine making $75 a week, when a collegue is making $300. He would be pissed!
How would Pete have handled it is he had been in Harry’s place? We know he would have opened the envelope.
August 16th, 2008 at 10:27 am
@ Elle….Dita would kick ass on Mad Men! Perfect look and right attitude!
I don’t mean to gush over Ken Cosgrove, but he reminds a lot of Don. Like Don, he’s very good at reading a situation. First season, he knew which woman had the better voice for the commercial. Then, during the second season premiere, Ken stated that Don was slowly giving Duck enough rope to hang himself. And Don would be there, holding the noose. Very astute!
He seems like a go-getter! And he’s the true alpha male in that younger group.
August 16th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Also, Harry was probably thinking that he couldn’t challenge Roger on that point without admitting to snooping at Ken’s check.
August 16th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Imitating James Bond really took off in 1964 with Goldfinger. But certainly it would be cool if my two blogs overlapped!
August 16th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I imagine opening another’s paycheck was not just unethical, but a fireable offence. Harry had to know that. It would be today, unless you couold prove it was an accident.
Yes, Deborah how could a movie with a character named Pussy Galore not gain momentum. Would love to see the MadMen guys discuss that. Holly Goodhead from Moonraker was always my favorite name. I grew up watching the Roger Moore Bond. but I have to admit, this Daniel Craig Bond is quite saucy. I absolutely loved the scene with the bottomless chair. Laughed my ass off! His Bond has some major balls.
August 16th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Chiming in that my favorite Bond Girl was “May Day,” as played by Grace Jones! Yeah, it’s random….
Boy, was I pulling for Julian McMahon or Clive Owen to wear that tux. Admittedly, Daniel Craig was a much better Bond than I’d imagined.
He rocked those little swimming trunks! And I do mean little….
August 16th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Anyone who is not familair with Dita Von Teese, check out these photos. I would love to see her in some kinda femme fatale role. I know she has a pretty scandalous history. But I would love to see her against Don. She is brunette and fierce. She could give Joan some competition.
http://fashion.about.com/od/celebritystyle/ig/Dita-von-Teese/
Deborah, who is your favorite Bond?
August 16th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Those were some fine swim trunks.
New movie opens November 7 in the US; and the previews indicate more Craig shirtlessness.
August 16th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Coincidence! “Tomorrow Never Dies” just came on AMC (The MadMen channel)
August 16th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
I suppose this isn’t the correct thread for my “I think Bond films are nothing more than repetitive adolescent male fantasies and their rise to iconic cultural status doesn’t speak well of the western male of the past 50 years” theory?
August 17th, 2008 at 1:53 am
Jackie, you may be interested in reading an essay I wrote questioning Bond’s relationship to feminism.
Ellelque, I find that a hard question to answer. I adore Connery, but I also adore Dalton, Brosnan, and Craig. I am not a fan of Moore, although I love The Spy Who Loves Me, and I am not AT ALL a fan of Lazenby.
August 17th, 2008 at 9:19 am
I went to http://www.minneapolisfed.org/Research/data/us/calc/ and did some math…
in 2008 money:
Don would make about: 339,000.00
Ken: 111,000.00
Harry (after the raise): 83,500.00
Pete: 28,000.00
Peggy: 13,000.00
August 17th, 2008 at 9:26 am
I always try to explain to my son; I don’t trust these equivalencies. As a percent of income, housing costs more than ever, but food is relatively less. Credit was rarely used then, so we do more with less money now. It’s just not a straight one-to-one ratio.
August 17th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Interesting, Deb, and agreed. If you look at how Peggy was living and how Pete was living (regardless of the help he received), I’m putting Peggy at about 25-32,000, and Pete in the low 40s. Just looking at what office entry level positions in Manhattan get, I put Peggy below that and Pete at or above.
August 17th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
**Credit was rarely used then, so we do more with less money now. It’s just not a straight one-to-one ratio.**
I agree. I guess riding is a relatively expensive hobby, but we don’t see the Drapers buying/ leasing the equivalent of a $60,000+ car which would be expected of someone in Don’s position these days. The whole phenomenon of luxuries being the standard hadn’t started yet.
August 17th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
The technology cost so much now too. I mean large screen TVs, cable and monthly cable bills, cell phone bills, computer internet bills. My technology cost me about $350 a month (cable, internet, 3 cell phones).
You figure today Don would have some major tech toys.
What did they have electric, maybe gas? Phone bill?
August 17th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
The math I did is a straight dollar to dollar conversion… the % of change for items is a totally different area… but I do think their money went further for the simple fact that they didn’t have the choices and lifestyles we had. going out to eat was BIG deal, 1 car per family, 1 TV maybe 2… no cable, going to the movies was rare. how much of our income is put to the entertainment catergory?
However, The pay difference between Peter and the rest fo the guys is the most interesting, given his “family connections”
August 18th, 2008 at 3:20 am
To answer the OP, maybe Harry thought about the job title and was realistic. Sure, he’s currently a one-man department, but if Sterling Cooper plans on moving forward, it’s not going to stay that way. And as he gets more people working under him, so too will his salary increase.
August 18th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Don’t forget that Don made partner and Cooper gave him “12%” or whatever, on top of what his salary is in 1962.
August 18th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Ellelque, I don’t think would Sal would ever dream of dipping his pen in the company ink. He put on the breaks with a client. I can’t imagine him trying to have a relationship with someone in the office. I would love to see what would happen if someone found out. Would they tell or would they hold it over him?
I would also love to see more of Ken’s homelife, but stay tuned. We’re seeing more and more of what people are doing outside the office this season, so I think Ken’s day is comming
August 23rd, 2008 at 8:37 pm
I am confused with the payrates. Is Pete really only making 75 per week? and is Cosgrove’s amount of $300 per week or per month? just a little confused……
August 23rd, 2008 at 10:08 pm
These are weekly payrates. Pete made $75/week in 1960, and Ken makes $300/week in 1962. It’s possible Pete went up as well but Ken is clearly very highly paid.
August 25th, 2008 at 8:51 am
[...] Deborah’s post about Bobbie and Don inspired today’s entry. It got me thinking about something that I was already processing in my sleep and that was: sacrifice and love. Now, I don’t know if this is all going to cohere into a clear entry since a) I just woke up from a bad night’s sleep and b) I just forgot what b was. But anyway, bear with me. [...]